Ball transporter

ABSTRACT

An athletic ball carrier has a strap assembly that is able to open and close to retain balls. A first set of straps may be interconnected at a connection point. The connection point may be opposed from an intersection area. A transverse strap is secured to the first set of straps. A draw string can be adjustably secured to the first set of straps to “close” the strap assembly to hold balls of varying shapes and sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to carrying devices for athletic balls such as basketballs and non-spherical shaped balls such as footballs, and more particularly to carrying devices that can clip on a person or bicycle.

Carrying athletic balls generally requires the person carrying the balls to carry them individually, which usually limits the transport to one to three balls per person. Alternatively, the person carrying the balls may use a large bag or satchel.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0201655 discloses an athletic ball carrier comprising a (1) retaining portion and a (2) carrying portion. The retaining portion includes a shell having a substantially hemispherical shape and defining a concave cavity.

There is a need for an athletic ball carrier or transporter that does not have a hemispherical concave cavity. There is need for an athletic ball carrier comprising straps to surround the ball. The straps can better adapt to non-spherical balls; and do not retain debris. There is a need for an athletic ball carrier that can adapt to different size and different shape balls. There is a need for an athletic ball carrier to clip onto things, such as belt loops, or bicycle locks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an athletic ball carrier (10), comprising: a first set of straps (20) that are interconnected at a connection point (90), said connection point is opposed from an intersection area (40); a transverse strap (30) that is secured to the first set of straps (20), said transverse strap (30) is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said first set of straps (20); a draw string (50) is adjustably secured to the first set of straps (20) near the intersection area (40); and a draw string locking member (80) is adjustably secured to said draw string (50), said draw string locking member (80) is capable of locking the draw string (50) in place so that the first set of straps (20) may be secured in position around a ball.

Another aspect is a ball transporter (10), comprising a strap assembly (15) having a first set of straps (20) that are interconnected at a connection point (90), said connection point is opposed from an intersection area (40); and a transverse strap (30) that is secured to the first set of straps (20), said transverse strap (30) is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said first set of straps (20).

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the athletic ball carrier of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, holding a spherical shaped ball;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the athletic ball carrier of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, holding a spherical shaped ball, and illustrating the draw string and clip;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the athletic ball carrier of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, holding a spherical shaped ball, as viewed from a different viewpoint with respect to FIG. 1.;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a shoulder strap and a connection point clip strap;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention being used by a person; and

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing one ball carrier clipped to another and being used with the shoulder strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

This invention may be used to hold, carry, transport, house, or store balls of different sizes and shapes, such as regulation men's basketball size, children's size basketballs; soccer balls; or smaller balls such as baseballs or lacrosse balls. This invention may be used to hold different shaped balls, such as rugby balls or American footballs. The present disclosure provides an apparatus or system for retaining and transporting athletic balls. Although the title may be “ball transporter,” the present invention may be used to store balls, such as by hanging them in one's garage from the ceiling; as one example

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second” and so forth, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIG. 1, an athletic ball carrier 10 is illustrated. It 10 is illustrated as having a strap assembly 15 surrounding and retaining a spherical-shaped ball. The strap assembly 15 is able to “open” to place a ball within the assembly, and “close” to securely hold the ball. In one exemplary embodiment, an athletic ball carrier 10, and the strap assembly 15 may comprise a first set of straps that are all connected at a connection point 90. Although 4 straps (20) may be illustrated, 2, 3, 5, or virtually any number of straps (20) may be used. When holding a spherical-shaped ball, the connection point 90 is analogous to the “south pole,” and the opposed intersection area 40 is analogous to the “north pole.” The straps 20 located and meeting at the connection point 90 may be secured to one another. In one exemplary embodiment the straps 20 may be secured to one another by stitching or glue or both, or by other means.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a transverse strap 30, which may be part of the strap assembly 15. The transverse strap 30 may be analogous to the “equator.” In one exemplary embodiment the transverse strap 30 may be oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the first set of straps 20. In one exemplary embodiment a draw string 50 may be adjustably secured to the strap assembly 15, or to the first set of straps 20 near the intersection area 40. In one exemplary embodiment a draw string locking member 80 may be adjustably secured to the draw string 50. In one exemplary embodiment a clip strap 60 may be secured to the strap assembly 15, or otherwise secured to the athletic ball carrier 10, also referred to herein as ball transporter 10, and having a clip 70 secured to the clip strap 60.

FIG. 2 illustrates the strap assembly 10 as surrounding a spherical-shaped ball. In FIG. 2 at least one of the straps 20 of the first set of straps 20 is illustrated as being not taught, which may be the case when the ball is first placed inside the athletic ball carrier 10, before the draw string 50 is pulled to secure the first set of straps 20 and the transverse strap 30 to the ball. In one exemplary embodiment the clip strap 60 may have a clip strap free portion 65, in which a clip may be removably secured. FIG. 2 also illustrates the first set of straps 20 meeting at an intersection point 40. In one exemplary embodiment the draw string locking member 80 may be adjustably secured to the draw string 50 so that the tightness or taughtness of the string 50, and thus the first set of straps 20 are adjustable and thus capable of adjusting to different sized or different shaped balls.

FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary embodiment whereby the first set of straps 20 meet and are all secured to one another at the connection point 90.

FIG. 4 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a present invention of the ball carrier 10 having a connection point clip strap 110 disposed at the connection point 90. FIG. 4 also illustrates one embodiment of the present invention having a shoulder strap 100. The connection point clip strap 110 may be disposed at what is also referred to as the “south pole” of the ball transporter 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention being used by a person. The ball transporter 10 is shown as being used with a removable shoulder strap 100. The strap assembly 15 is shown as housing or holding or carrying or transporting a spherical-shaped ball.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein two ball transporters 10 are connected by means of a clip 70 securing the one strap assembly 15 to another strap assembly 15; such as, for example by the connection point clip strap of the top ball transporter 10 secured to the clip strap 70 of the lower ball transporter 10. In this FIG., the lower ball transporter is illustrated as having, housing, containing, carrying, or transporting a non-spherical shaped ball, such as a football. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transverse strap 30 may be elastic to provide radially inward compression to grip the ball.

In one exemplary embodiment the first set of straps 20 and the transverse strap 30 may have elastic properties, or may be elastic. In one exemplary embodiment the first set of straps and the transverse strap 30 may have non-elastic properties, or may be non-elastic. In one exemplary embodiment the first set of straps 20 may have non-elastic properties, and the transverse strap 30 may have elastic properties. In one exemplary embodiment the first set of straps 20 may have elastic properties, and the transverse straps 30 may have non-elastic properties.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A ball transporter (10), comprising: a first set of straps (20) that are interconnected at a connection point (90), said connection point is opposed from an intersection area (40); and a transverse strap (30) that is secured to the first set of straps (20), said transverse strap (30) is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said first set of straps (20).
 2. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, further comprising a clip strap (60) that is capable of securing a clip (70) to said athletic ball carrier (10).
 3. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said first set of straps (20) have elastic properties.
 4. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said transverse strap (30) has elastic properties.
 5. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said first set of straps (20) and said transverse strap (30) have elastic properties.
 6. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said first set of straps (20) has non-elastic properties.
 7. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said transverse strap (30) has non-elastic properties.
 8. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein said first set of straps (20) and said transverse strap (30) have non-elastic properties.
 9. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, wherein a clip strap (60) is secured to at least one of the straps (20) which comprise the first set of straps (20) or the transverse strap (30), said clip strap (60) has a clip strap free portion (65) that is capable of movement, said clip strap free portion (65) is capable of receiving a clip (70) therethrough.
 10. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, further comprising a draw string (50) adjustably secured to the first set of straps (20) near the intersection area (40).
 11. The ball transporter (10) of claim 10, further comprising a draw string locking member (80) adjustably secured to said draw string (50), said draw string locking member (80) is capable of locking the draw string (50) in place so that the first set of straps (20) may be secured in position around a ball.
 12. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap (100) removably secured to said clip strap (60).
 13. The ball transporter (10) of claim 1, further comprising a connection point clip strap (110) disposed at the connection point (90), whereby at least one other ball transporter is attached.
 14. A ball transporter (10), comprising: a strap assembly (15) having a first set of straps (20) that are capable of opening and closing; and a transverse strap (30) that is secured to the first set of straps (20), said transverse strap (30) is oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said first set of straps (20).
 15. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, further comprising a shoulder strap (100) removably secured to the ball transporter (10).
 16. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, further comprising a draw string (50) removably secured to said strap assembly (15).
 17. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, further comprising a connection point (90) disposed at the south pole.
 18. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, further comprising a connection point clip strap (110) secured to the strap assembly (15).
 19. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, wherein said strap assembly (15) is capable of receiving a removable clip (70).
 20. The ball transporter (10) of claim 14, wherein said strap assembly (15) is capable of being connected to another strap assembly (15). 